Casillas wants to play for sentimental reasons, as he made his debut at this stadium and this is the last Real Madrid match there before it's demolished but I'd still keep him on the bench Lopez is number one for now at least.

Missing out on the game will be Mesut Özil, who did not feel well following Saturday’s training session, and Alvaro Arbeloa who has a back problem.

Real Madrid will travel to Bilbao with a squad of twenty players to take on Athletic on Sunday night. Missing out on the game will be Mesut Özil, who did not feel well following Saturday’s training session, and Alvaro Arbeloa who has a back problem. Also absent at Bilbao will be Michael Essien, injured against Galatasaray, and Kaká who still has muscular problems.

@halamadrid2 wrote:omg Essien is still injured the guy literally has to come back before the next league tie or else we are doomed vs Dortmund. Can't stand the thought of Ramoa occupying that position

Anyways as for the game, seems like we have just enough players for a starting eleven and some subs (not many options tho)

anyone think DiMaria might take up Ozils spot and Modric play as a CM next to Alonso kind of like that game against Sevilla last season

The only spot Di Maria should be taking is the empty seat on the bench next to Albiol, his form over the past few weeks has been terrible, at AM it would even be worse, he tends to dribble too much and loses possession almost all the time. If it wasn't for his tracking back abilities he'd not be starting for this team.

Very harsh. I think he's looking better than at the start of the season.

Anyway word from the Madrid camp is that this game will be used as preparation for the away game at Dortmund. Hostile atmosphere, energetic young team that press so it should be a good chance to try out some tactics.

Poor match in my opinion, it was decided by the sheer brilliance of Alonso, Ronaldo and Higuain. The team struggled to hold on to possession, Ozil was sorely missed, Modric played too far away from the strikers, which meant Khedira had to move forward a lot and he offered very little.

Di Maria had another bad game and was duly subbed, he really needs to back up his game the amount of times he wastes possession is just unacceptable. To cap a bad night, he missed the best chance of the night.

A good defensive display tonight, how attacking wise we weren't really the best. I think it was due to the formation Modric was away from the attackers. It was a 4-3-3 with Khedira and Modric ahead of Alonso. Ronaldo's free kick was impressive.

Disgraceful from Mourinho not to give Iker the chance to get match fitness back. He is definitely going to leave after this summer with this kind of player management...oh and there is a big chance we go out in penalty shootout in CL because iker wont be starting..

@Adit wrote:Disgraceful from Mourinho not to give Iker the chance to get match fitness back. He is definitely going to leave after this summer with this kind of player management...oh and there is a big chance we go out in penalty shootout in CL because iker wont be starting..